Fact Check: Did Trump say ABC and NBC must change their news divisions to keep their licenses?

WASHINGTON, DC: The alleged report that President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to ABC and NBC has gained traction online.

The claim says Trump threatened not to renew the networks' broadcast licenses in 2027 unless they made major changes to their news divisions, citing a purported 12-point memo sent to executives.

The allegation has drawn attention amid Trump's long-running feuds with both networks over their news coverage and live broadcasts.

Claim: Trump put ABC and NBC on notice

The viral post framed the alleged move as a major crackdown on the media, declaring that “President Trump just put ABC and NBC on notice.”

It also claimed that their broadcast licenses would not be renewed in 2027 unless they made “serious changes.” The post also directed users to follow a Telegram channel.

It further added that Trump had delivered an “ultimate ultimatum” to the two networks over their news coverage. According to the post, Trump allegedly told reporters that ABC and NBC had an obligation to tell Americans the truth but had “failed miserably.”

The post also alleged, "Network executives have already been notified, and a detailed 12-point memo of exactly what needs to change has been sent." It concluded by claiming Trump wanted to “clamp down on the fake news” and had put the two networks “on the chopping block.”

Fact Check: False, no evidence to back the viral claim

The claim that Trump formally put ABC and NBC on notice that their broadcast licenses would not be renewed in 2027 is false.

The rumor appears to distort real disputes involving Trump, the Federal Communications Commission, and the two networks.

In April 2026, the FCC ordered an early review of the broadcast license renewals for eight television stations owned by Disney/ABC, even though their renewals were generally not due until 2028 or later.

The agency linked the review to questions involving DEI and employment practices, as well as the “public interest” standard.

The move followed public criticism surrounding ABC content and Jimmy Kimmel. ABC challenged the action, calling it retaliatory and unconstitutional, while the proceedings continued through the summer.

In July 2026, Trump publicly criticized ABC and NBC after the networks declined to air his primetime election-security speech live on their main broadcast channels, although they made it available through streaming platforms.

Trump called for their licenses to be revoked and accused the networks of acting as part of a “plot” or “fraud.” FCC Chair Brendan Carr later suggested that the decision could be considered as part of the ongoing review involving ABC-owned stations and also scrutinized aspects of NBC and Comcast.

However, legal experts have pointed to strong First Amendment protections that limit the government's ability to use broadcast licensing powers to punish editorial decisions.

Therefore, no credible news reports, official statements, or regulatory filings support the viral post's central claims.

There is no evidence that the White House or FCC issued a formal notice saying that ABC and NBC's licenses “will not be renewed for 2027.” There is also no evidence of a 12-point memo demanding “serious changes” to their news divisions.